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Autodesk/HaasTooling.com Racing: Cole Custer Daytona Advance

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Official Release
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COLE CUSTER
Daytona Advance
No. 41 Autodesk/HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Coke Zero Sugar 400 (Round 26 of 36)
● Time/Date: 7 p.m. EDT on Saturday, Aug. 27
● Location: Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway
● Layout: 2.5-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 160 laps / 400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 35 laps / Stage 2: 60 laps / Final Stage: 65 laps
● TV/Radio: NBC / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Cole Custer and the No. 41 Ford Mustang team for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) welcome back Autodesk a co-primary partner for the third time this season when they take to the 2.5-mile Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway oval for Saturday night’s NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400. San Francisco-based Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), a leader in software applications for the engineering, manufacturing, construction, architecture, media and entertainment industries, kicked off its fifth season with SHR May 1 at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway, then returned for the June 12 race at its hometown Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway. After Saturday night’s race, Autodesk returns to Custer’s No. 41 Ford for back-to-back races Sept. 17 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and Sept. 25 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth before appearing one final time Oct. 9 at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval.

● The Autodesk partnership with SHR is more than skin deep. The team utilized Autodesk’s Fusion 360 design and manufacturing software extensively to create lightweight, but strong, components for its fleet of Gen 6 racecars. Autodesk’s generative design capabilities and its Fusion 360 software helps designers and engineers quickly find optimal solutions to design problems, like SHR’s brake pedal revision in its Gen 6 racecars, as chronicled in this video. The new pedal accounted for a 32 percent reduction in weight with a 50 percent increase in stiffness, with the optimized design being realized by Fusion 360. The entire project took just two months to complete – from initial design to simulation, additive manufacturing of the pedal, testing and finalized part. Just as importantly, it was all delivered within two weeks of the needed race date.

● Also riding along with Custer and his SHR Mustang this weekend is team co-owner Gene Haas’ newest holding, Haas Tooling, which was launched as a way for CNC machinists to purchase high-quality cutting tools at great prices. Haas cutting tools are sold exclusively online at HaasTooling.com and shipped directly to end users. HaasTooling.com products became available nationally in July 2020. Haas Automation, founded by Haas in 1983, is America’s leading builder of CNC machine tools. The company manufactures a complete line of vertical and horizontal machining centers, turning centers and rotary tables and indexers. All Haas products are constructed in the company’s 1.1-million-square-foot manufacturing facility in Oxnard, California, and distributed through a worldwide network of Haas Factory Outlets.

● Saturday’s 160-lap race will be Custer’s 101st career Cup Series start and sixth on the Daytona oval. His 11th-place finish in last year’s season-opening Daytona 500 is his best result at the iconic track. He finished 20th in this year’s Daytona 500.

● In NASCAR Xfinity Series competition at Daytona, Custer made six starts from 2017 through 2019, all in SHR Fords. He had a best start of third in the August 2018 race, and best finishes of 14th in the 2018 and 2019 openers, both seasons culminating with runner-up finishes in the series championship.

● Eleven days after his 18th birthday, Custer started the 2016 ARCA Menards Series season opener and his first career race on the Daytona oval from the pole. He led a race-high 42 laps before bringing the No. 54 for car owner Ken Schrader home 10th.

Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 41 Autodesk/HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

You’ve got Autodesk back on your racecar for Saturday night’s regular-season finale. Talk about that, and your overall thoughts about the race.

“It’s the last chance for any driver without a win to race their way into the playoffs, and it comes in a race that anybody can win, so that makes things really interesting for everybody. Daytona is just a special place any time your race there, and it will be cool to have Autodesk on our car again. I ran an Xfinity race for them and we won with them and, from there, it’s just been a great relationship and it’s been awesome having them on the car. We use their software a ton at the race shop, to be able to design parts and do different things, so they’re a huge part of what we do.”

You’ve now had three races with the NextGen car on superspeedway-style tracks this year. What have you learned about what it will take to win at Daytona on Saturday night?

“I think the biggest thing about the superspeedway racing this year is this new car is really all about getting the pit stops good and making sure you stay with the lead draft. If you’re the last car in line, it’s really easy to lose the draft. So I think that’s been the biggest thing. At the end of the day, it’s been really similar. You’re still able to push really hard, you’re still able to draft and run three-wide, and four-wide at times, so it puts on good racing. You just want to make sure you can stay with the lead draft.”

With one more playoff spot available for a first-time race winner this weekend, do you expect the racing will be more aggressive than it has been all year?

“I think so, for sure. Everybody knows that you have to win to make the playoffs, so everybody without a win is going to do everything they can to try and get that win and they’re going to be aggressive. Daytona gives a lot more players a chance to win, so it’s going to be interesting to see who’s going to be extremely aggressive and who can make it to the end of the race.”

Can you hang in the back to stay out of trouble and still expect to work your way to the front in the closing laps?

“I think it just depends on your car. If you’re not very comfortable with your car and you’re in the middle of a hornet’s nest, yeah, I think you’re going to bail out because there’s going to be a great chance you’re going to get wrecked. But if your car’s handling well and you’re able to go up toward the front, you’re probably going to go up there and try and keep yourself out of the mess.”

No. 41 Autodesk/HaasTooling.com Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Cole Custer
Hometown: Ladera Ranch, California

Crew Chief: Mike Shiplett
Hometown: Amherst, Ohio

Car Chief: Tony Cardamone
Hometown: Bristol, Virginia

Engineer: Lee Deese
Hometown: Rockingham, North Carolina

Engineer: Scott Bingham
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Spotter: Andy Houston
Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Josh Leslie

Hometown: Mount Clemens, Michigan

Rear Tire Changer: Chris Jackson
Hometown: Rock Hill, South Carolina

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons
Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Jack Man: Kapil Fletcher
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fuel Man: Dewayne Moore
Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Joe Zanolini
Hometown: Sybertsville, Pennsylvania

Shock Specialist: Aaron Kuehn
Hometown: Kensington, Connecticut

Engine Tuner: Jimmy Fife
Hometown: Orange County, California

Tire Specialist: Austin Greco
Hometown: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: David Rodrigues
Hometown: Santa Clarita, California

Transporter Co-Driver: Charlie Schleyer
Hometown: Youngsville, Pennsylvania

Infield Campers Have Struck Gold with Incredible Array of Interactive Amenities, Performances and Appearances in Daytona Infield and UNOH Fanzone for This Weekend’s Coke Zero Sugar 400

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Official Release
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Brand New Kid’s VIP Experience Paired with Classic Rock Music Performances Create the Ultimate Fun-Filled Weekend for Fans of All Ages

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 23, 2022) – This weekend’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 on the iconic Daytona International Speedway will feature some of the most pressure-packed racing in the history of NASCAR, but inside the 2.5-mile track, infielders will have a plethora of fun-filled festivities to engage in like never before.

The UNOH Fanzone, conveniently located just behind pit row in between the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series garages, will be an entertainment hotspot for fans who have purchased the Fanzone pass add on (just $60). The UNOH Fanzone offers access to driver introductions, the pre-race concert featuring Better Than Ezra, a view into the NASCAR premier series garages, and lots more. It’s a haven of festivities, and it begins Thursday evening. For a full listing of all the fun things to do inside the historical venue, as well as great valued ticket opportunities, log onto www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

Here’s the lineup of everything that IS the infield at The World Center of Racing for this weekend’s Wawa 250 Powered by Coca Cola (7:30 p.m.) and Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 (7 p.m.):

Let’s Get This Party Started! Thursday kicks off the weekend with the Camping Welcome Party, which begins at 6 p.m. in the UNOH Fanzone, with entertainment at 7 p.m. by The Boss Project, the Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band cover group. All infield campers are welcome!

Want Interactive Experiences? We’ve Got Them! All the incredible entertainment acts, engaging fan experiences and driver appearances on both Friday and Saturday are available to all fans the who purchase the UNOH Fanzone pass. Gates to the UNOH Fanzone open at 1 p.m. on Friday and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Next Question. Fans can take part in the multiple Q&A sessions offered with their favorite drivers from both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Cup Series. The driver Lineup on Friday showcases Myatt Snider, Jeb Burton and Justin Allgaier while Saturday will welcome Harrison Burton, Aric Almirola, Erik Jones, and one of the drivers currently just on the outskirts of a playoff bid, Martin Truex Jr.
The Sound of Music. Musical acts include Blue Stone Circle, Stereo FM, and the Coke Zero Sugar 400 headlining pre-race concert act of the weekend, Better Than Ezra, who will actually have their performance on pit road.

The Red Carpet. At 6:45 p.m., prior to driver introductions ahead of Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400, drivers from the NASCAR Cup Series will walk the red carpet, located in the Fanzone, to pre-race ceremonies on pit road.

Celebration Station! Fans can take photos with the actual winning trophies in Ruoff Mortgage Victory Lane. Times are 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, and 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Kid-Fueled Fun! The younger NASCAR enthusiasts attending the upcoming Coke Zero Sugar 400 weekend can enjoy special VIP access with a brand-new, immersive experience for kids 12 and under.

Lifelong Memories. Give the kids the ultimate DAYTONA experience – all children 12 and under with a UNOH Fanzone pass can gain exclusive access to various areas within the track, including a guided garage tour, the 1948 Red Carpet walk, and the opportunity to fist bump their favorite drivers in Fist Bump Alley at driver introductions. Only one chaperone per child is allowed, and each chaperone must be 18+ with a UNOH Fanzone pass. There will also be inflatable games and other activities available for Kid VIPs in the UNOH Fanzone.

Infield Camping Opportunities. All those parking in the world-famous Daytona Infield will receive a complimentary welcome bag upon arrival to get their weekend started. And that’s just the beginning.

Hungry? Need Supplies? Parked fans can pre-order all their camping needs with Kroger by visiting www.kroger.com/order and receive $15 off the first three delivery orders. Offer is available for pickup at One Daytona.

Going to the Chapel. Two chapel services are offered on Saturday – one at the Raceway Ministries located inside GEICO Park West at 10 a.m., and another at the Cavalry Ministries located inside the GEICO Orange Tent Campgrounds at 9:30 a.m. The Cavalry Ministries will open for everyone at 11 a.m. following the chapel service and will have activities for the entire family throughout the day.

Up Close & Personal. Talk about locker room access! Fans in the UNOH Fanzone can see the garage bays that house all the teams and machines – as well as the drivers – up close. Fans can then walk upstairs and walk atop the NASCAR Cup Series Garages and take a close look at the team haulers as well as the action on the track through the tri-oval.

Surprise and Delight! On Friday afternoon, Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher will be driving through the Campgrounds, passing out bags of ice, DIS branded coolers, and of course, some Coke Zero Sugar. Be on the lookout!

It Pays to Renew Coke Zero Sugar 400 Tickets. The NASCAR Sales Center in the Campground is also offering a free gift to all those who stop by and renew their tickets for the 2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400. Fans can plan another memorable experience at Daytona International Speedway and look ahead to the next adventure once the 2022 Coke Zero Sugar 400 race weekend comes to a close.

Fireworks Galore. After watching the Coke Zero Sugar 400, infield guests, as well as those in the grandstands, can catch the anticipated post-race fireworks show!
Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 will be the final race of the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, and the last chance for drivers to secure their spot in the playoffs. Defending Coke Zero Sugar 400 Champion Ryan Blaney is on the bubble in the 16th and final playoff spot. If a non-winning driver in 2022 goes to Ruff Mortgage Victory Lane, said driver will punch his ticket to the Cup Series playoffs.

Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the all-new NASCAR Tracks App, for the latest speedway news.

About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training. The iconic venue was the site of a host of motorsports events early in 2022, beginning with AHRMA Classic Motofest and the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA in January, and the 64th DAYTONA 500, which debuted the first points race for NASCAR’s ‘Next Gen’ car as part of Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, in February. The tradition-rich 81st Annual Bike Week At DAYTONA returned in March, featuring DAYTONA Supercross and the DAYTONA 200. May saw the “Welcome to Rockville” concert and the Heroes Honor Festival while during July 4th weekend, the track, in association with Torneos, hosted the first annual Daytona Soccer Fest. The NASCAR Cup Series returns for the final race of the regular season with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Aug. 27 while Saturday, Aug. 26 will see the Wawa 250 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Ayla Agren Joins Round 3 Racing

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Official Release
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Joliet, Ill. (23 August 2022) – Established open-wheel racer Ayla Agren will diversify her racing exploits this September as she joins Round 3 Racing (R3R) for the World Racing League powered by Hagerty VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) event this September 2-4. R3R had a winning outing at the challenging Virginia circuit in 2021 and will look to return to the top again this season.

The native Norwegian resides in the United States, and is currently competing in the W Series. Agren won the 2014 F1600 Championship in her second season in the series, and also has extensive experience in the Road to Indy ranks in USF2000 competition. During her time in F1600, Agren ran a total of four races at VIR. She captured the pole in her second race and has three top-five finishes, two of which earned a spot on the podium.

“I am thrilled and super excited to be racing with R3R at VIR,” said Agren, who is a Shift Up Now driver (https://shiftupnow.com). “A massive thank you to Shift Up Now for creating this opportunity together with R3R. Last time I raced at VIR was in my F1600 championship season. So it has been a while, but I have some good memories from this track – so I’m very much looking forward to being back racing there.”

Joining a fellow Shift Up Now driver, Loni Unser, and Zack Ping, Agren will pilot the No. 701 Cooper Tires Porsche Cayman. Agren marks the eighth Shift Up Now driver to join R3R. In addition to Unser and Agren, Sarah Montgomery races in the No. 401 and Hannah Grisham co-drives the No. 605. Shift Up Now has partnered with Round 3 Racing since 2019, helping support females in the motorsport industry.

“We’re very excited to welcome Ayla and continue to expand our partnership with Shift Up Now,” said Brad McCall, owner of Round 3 Racing and father of three daughters. “A few years ago, Pippa (Mann) and I had a vision for this partnership, and I feel like we’re right on track. R3R is committed to the growth of women in motorsport and providing a platform to help springboard talented racers to the next level.”

The No. 701 team looks to race to another VIR victory in 2022. The weekend will kick off on Friday, September 2nd, with practice and qualifying. Two days of action-packed racing will begin on Saturday at 8a (ET).

Ford Performance NASCAR: Cindric Going for Daytona Sweep; Blaney Looking for Repeat Victory

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FORD PERFORMANCE NASCAR: DAYTONA 2 ADVANCE

The final regular season race of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season is this weekend at Daytona International Speedway with one playoff berth still to be determined. Ford’s Ryan Blaney currently has the spot based on his position in the point standings and will be looking to repeat his August win from a year ago while Austin Cindric goes for a season sweep after capturing the Daytona 500 in February. The weekend kicks off with the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Friday.

This Week’s Schedule:
Friday, August 26 – NASCAR XFINITY Series, 7:30 p.m. (USA)
Saturday, August 27 – NASCAR Cup Series, 7 p.m. (NBC)

FORD IN THE NASCAR CUP SERIES AT DAYTONA

· Ford has 40 all-time series wins on the oval at Daytona.
· Ford has won the last 3 races on the Daytona oval.
· Kevin Harvick, Aric Almirola, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Michael McDowell and Ryan Blaney have oval wins at Daytona.

FORD IN THE NASCAR XFINITY SERIES AT DAYTONA

· Ford has 6 series wins on the oval at Daytona.
· Ford’s last win was by Austin Cindric in the 2021 season opener.
· Six different drivers have series wins for Ford.

FORD DAYTONA CUP WIN STREAK AT THREE

Ford has won the last three NASCAR Cup Series races held on the Daytona oval, including Austin Cindric’s win in the 500 to start the 2022 season. Michael McDowell kicked off the streak with his first career victory in the 2021 Daytona 500 and Ryan Blaney gave Ford a season sweep when he won the regular season finale six months later. Overall, Ford has won 40 races on the 2.5-mile superspeedway with half of those coming in the summer.

CINDRIC LOOKING TO JOIN SELECT GROUP

Austin Cindric captured the Daytona 500 for his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory in February and this weekend he’ll look to become only the sixth driver in history to win both events at DIS in the same season. The five men currently in that group are: Fireball Roberts (1962), Cale Yarborough (1968), Lee Roy Yarbrough (1969), Bobby Allison (1982) and Jimmie Johnson (2013).

FOUR FORD DRIVERS IN CUP SERIES PLAYOFFS

With only one race remaining in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series regular season, one spot remains up for grabs in the 16-driver playoff field. Four Ford drivers can rest easy going into Saturday night’s race at Daytona International Speedway knowing that their spot in the postseason is secure. Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, Austin Cindric and Chase Briscoe will all be competing for the championship. Harvick will be making his 16th appearance in the playoffs, tied for the most in series history with Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin, while Logano has qualified for the ninth time in his career. Cindric and Briscoe will be making their first appearance.

BLANEY ON THE BUBBLE

Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney remains on the bubble and is currently the highest driver in the point standings that has not won a race in 2022. Blaney, who is third overall, holds a 25-point lead over Martin Truex Jr. and would get the final playoff berth if he wins or maintains that lead and a repeat race winner takes the checkered flag on Saturday night. Blaney is the defending champion of this weekend’s race and has registered three of his seven career victories on the superspeedways of Daytona (1) and Talladega (2). He has six top-10 finishes in 14 career Cup starts at DIS, including four of the last five.

HERBST AND SIEG MAINTAIN PLAYOFF POSITIONING

Riley Herbst’s seventh-place finish at Watkins Glen enabled him to maintain his eighth-place position in the NASCAR Xfinity Series point standings. Herbst now has 15 top-10 efforts this season, two more than all of last year, and is a comfortable 129 points above the cutoff for the 12-driver playoff field. Ryan Sieg finds himself in a much different situation as he currently sits on the bubble and holds the final postseason berth based on his 12th-place position in the point standings. Sieg has a 39-point lead over Sheldon Creed with only four races remaining in the regular season, but a first-time winner by someone below him in the standings would put him on the outside looking in. There’s still a chance for Sieg to move off the bubble as he sits only 11 points behind 11th-place Landon Cassill.

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES SUMMER RACE WINNERS AT DAYTONA (OVAL)

1963 – Fireball Roberts

1965 – A.J. Foyt

1967 – Cale Yarborough

1969 – LeeRoy Yarbrough

1970 – Donnie Allison

1983 – Buddy Baker

1988 – Bill Elliott

1989 – Davey Allison

1991 – Bill Elliott

1994 – Jimmy Spencer

1997 – John Andretti

1999 – Dale Jarrett

2000 – Jeff Burton

2003 – Greg Biffle

2007 – Jamie McMurray

2011 – David Ragan

2014 – Aric Almirola

2016 – Brad Keselowski

2017 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

2021 – Ryan Blaney

FORD NASCAR XFINITY SERIES WINNERS AT DAYTONA (OVAL)

1995 – Chad Little

2004 – Mike Wallace (2)

2015 – Ryan Reed (1)

2016 – Aric Almirola (2)

2017 – Ryan Reed (1)

2021 – Austin Cindric (1)

Horizon Hobby and McDowell Hope to Propel into Playoffs

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Official Release
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 No. 34 Ford Mustang to Pay Tribute to Local Hobby Shops Across America

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (AUGUST 23, 2022) – In what is one of the most anticipated races in the NASCAR Cup Series season, Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Ford Mustang team are preparing for Saturday night’s 400-mile race under the lights at the Daytona International Speedway. The upcoming regular season finale will determine the 16 drivers who will fight for the championship.

McDowell wants to once again be one of the 16, just as he was last year. To do so, he will need to win at the track once again where he took the Daytona 500 checkered last year.

“We can do it,” said McDowell. “We have done it before, right? But I don’t know if this is just another Daytona race. The move to Daytona to the regular season finale has made it exciting, and every team not locked into the playoffs races with that urgency to win. Atlanta was only a small barometer of what we’ll see Saturday night. It’s going to be intense.”

Supporting the team this weekend is the global leader in RC products and accessories, Horizon Hobby. The popular makers of radio control cars, boats, planes and accessories will give thanks to the hundreds of local hobby shops across America with their names on the No. 34 Ford Mustang.

“It is really cool to see Horizon Hobby supporting the local hobby shop and owners,” commented McDowell. “We are racing for them this weekend and have their stores on the car. We’ve met so many local shop owners and employees this year at the tracks. It’s been so cool to hear their stories and their support for Horizon Hobby. We’ll be celebrating with them if we can win on Saturday night.”

Fans are encouraged to login on www.horizonhobby.com to see their full range of brands and accessories that includes cars, boats, planes, batteries, chargers and more.

About Horizon Hobby

Horizon Hobby was founded in 1985. Since then, Horizon Hobby has become the global leader in RC products and accessories. Horizon Hobby is committed to delivering innovative products and providing an exceptional customer experience. By forging strong relationships with RC hobby consumers, retailers, and manufacturers around the world, Horizon Hobby has built the best brands in the industry. Horizon Hobby has locations in the United States, Germany, England, and China. The company is headquartered in Champaign, Illinois.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Camping World Truck Series and the 2021 Daytona 500 champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team– from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Win and In for Gilliland

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Official Release
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A Push Can Put Gilliland in Playoffs

 MOORESVILLE, N.C. (August 23, 2022) – NASCAR Cup Series Rookie, Todd Gilliland, will return to the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway this Saturday night as the Cup Series will race under the lights in the final race before the playoffs are underway.

The No. 38 will don the familiar black and teal paint scheme of First Phase, a credit card by CURO Credit, LLC. The First Phase team will be looking for a little push, hopefully to a win, and propel the team into the final playoff spot up for grabs.

Gilliland is ready for that challenge.

“We were really close to being up front at the end in the Daytona 500,” said Gilliland. “We were in the top-five in the closing laps and a wreck out of our control ended our day. I am excited to get back to Daytona, this time under the lights. Hopefully, we can be there at the end when it counts.

“It is special to have First Phase on the car this weekend, said Gilliland. “They were the partner that kicked off the season with us in the Daytona 500. To have them be here when the regular season ends is really fitting. It would be amazing to deliver them their first win and get into that final playoff position.”

“We all know how this goes at Daytona,” continued Gilliland. “You always need a push to get a win. Michael (McDowell) is a great draft racer, all the Ford teammates are good about working together, too. We just need to be in position, get that push, and hopefully get the win.”

Gilliland and the No. 38 First Phase team will race on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET on NBC.

ABOUT CURO

CURO Group Holdings Corp (NYSE: CURO) is a full-spectrum consumer credit lender serving U.S. and Canadian customers for over 25 years. Our roots in the consumer finance market run deep. We’ve worked diligently to provide customers a variety of convenient, easily accessible financial services. Our decades of alternative data power a hard-to-replicate underwriting and scoring engine, mitigating risk across the full spectrum of credit products. We operate a number of brands including Cash Money®, LendDirect®, Flexiti®, Opt+®, Revolve Finance®, Heights Finance, Southern Finance, Covington Credit, Quick Credit, First Phase, and First Heritage Credit.

ABOUT FIRST PHASE

First Phase is a new credit card issued by The Bank of Missouri that provides pathways to financial freedom for people with unestablished or imperfect credit. It’s a powerful tool that can provide flexibility and help fuel the next chapter of their financial future. First Phase is the doing business assumed name of CURO Credit, LLC, whose ultimate parent company is CURO Group Holdings Corp (NYSE: CURO).

About Front Row Motorsports

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Camping World Truck Series and the 2021 Daytona 500 champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team– from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

CORVETTE RACING AT VIR: Going for Another Overall Win

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Program seeking fourth overall win at GT-only weekend in Virginia

DETROIT (Aug. 23, 2022) – Corvette Racing seeks to win overall for the fifth time and sixth in class at Virginia International Raceway as the team returns to the track this weekend for the Michelin GT Challenge at VIR.

It’s the second of two GT-only races on the calendar for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The event, scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, is one that Corvette Racing has dominated since it went to its current format in 2014.

A Corvette Racing entry has claimed overall wins four times at VIR in IMSA competition, including each of the last two years. Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor, who share the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R, were victors in 2020 in the now-extinct GT Le Mans (GTLM) category.

They were second a year ago to Corvette teammates Tommy Milner and Nick Tandy, who are partnering this season in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

This year is the first for Corvette in the new GT Daytona (GTD) PRO category, and as such is the first at VIR for the GTD Corvette – which runs with more weight, less power, an anti-lock braking system and a spec Michelin tire compared to the GTLM class.

Aside from a win at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in March, the season has been mostly frustrating with a runner-up finish at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and third-place showings at Long Beach and Road America.

Corvette Racing’s love affair with VIR goes back to 2012. This will be the team’s 11th appearance at the 3.27-mile, 17-turn road course. The configuration of the circuit – two long straights and a mix of low- medium- and high-speed corners – creates opportunities for a number of engineering and strategic decisions. That’s an area where Corvette Racing has a distinct advantage given its 24-year history of competition.

The Michelin GT Challenge at VIR is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 28. The race will air live on CNBC and stream live on Peacock beginning at 2 p.m. ET. IMSA Radio will broadcast Saturday’s final practice and qualifying with the race call Sunday at IMSA.com, on XM 207 and SiriusXM Online 992.

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “VIR has everything… nice flow, especially. This should be a good weekend for us. It’s another ‘first’ weekend for the GTD Corvette. We don’t know where we will stand. There are some long straightaways, so we will have to decide on the best aero package to see what is most beneficial. It’s a track where we always have fun at and have a ton of success. Hopefully it’s the same way this year again.

“There are a few tracks where we have to find aero balance like what we need at VIR. I would consider this track like Canadian Tire Motorsport Park or Watkins Glen where there are fast speeds and slow sections, but you probably need to take care of your top speed. At times, it pays to be a little lighter on downforce and being fast on the straights. We will figure out what’s best.”

JORDAN TAYLOR, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “In terms of enjoyment of driving around, VIR is probably in the top-three of the tracks we go to. It’s one of those natural-terrain tracks that still feels like an old-school track. There’s not much margin for error… high speeds and lots of elevation changes. It’s just a lot of fun to drive. It’s one of the ones we always look forward to going to.

“It’s a place where you can get caught out pretty quickly with a lot of blind corners that are high-speed. So you do have to be careful. It’s one of the better tracks we go to because it’s an all-GT race. If we had prototypes there, it would be pretty difficult because of how narrow it is. Every time we go there, the racing is always tough and tight. We saw that last year in the GTLM class with only three cars. Going back there this year with a little bit bigger grid, the racing should be super good.”

2022 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – GTD PRO (After eight of 10 events)

Driver Standings

  1. Mathieu Jaminet/Matt Campbell – 2,793
  2. Ben Barnicoat – 2,566
  3. Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 2,566
  4. Alex Riberas/Ross Gunn – 2,476
  5. Connor De Phillippi/John Edwards – 2,234

Team Standings

  1. No. 9 Pfaff Motorsports – 2.793
  2. No. 14 VasserSullivan – 2,566
  3. No. 3 Corvette Racing – 2,566
  4. No. 23 Heart of Racing Team – 2,476
  5. No. 25 BMW Team RLL – 2,234

Manufacturer Standings

  1. Porsche – 2,793
  2. Lexus – 2,596
  3. Chevrolet – 2,566
  4. Aston Martin – 2,546
  5. BMW – 2,319

CORVETTE RACING AT VIR: By the Numbers

• 1: As in one team, one manufacturer and one model of car for 24 years: Corvette Racing, Chevrolet and the Chevrolet Corvette

• 3: Generations of Corvette Racing entries at VIR since 2012 – Corvette C6.R (2012-2013) and Corvette C7.R (2014-2019) and the mid-engine Corvette C8.R, which is 2-0 at the circuit since debuting there in 2020

• 4: Overall VIR race wins for Corvette Racing – 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021. Antonio Garcia was part of the first three

• 5: Class wins at VIR for Corvette Racing, the most among IMSA entrants. Tommy Milner and Oliver Gavin won in ALMS GT competition in 2012, and Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen won overall in 2016 and 2017. Garcia and Jordan Taylor drove the C8.R to a win in 2020 with Milner and Nick Tandy victorious a year ago

• 9: Number of VIR victories for Chevrolet since 2002 covering both ALMS and the Rolex Series; that’s the most among manufacturers

• 14: Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001

• 26: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Daytona, Detroit, Houston, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen

• 32: Number of drivers for Corvette Racing since 1999

• 122: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 113 in North America, eight at Le Mans and one in the FIA WEC

• 262: Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999

• 5,902.35: Number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing in its eight previous trips to Virginia International Raceway. If all goes to plan, the team will surpass 6,000 miles after 30 laps in this year’s race

• 346,160.95: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing since its inception. To put that in perspective, Corvette Racing is more than halfway to the distance traveled by Apollo 13 – the longest manned spaceflight in history: 622,268 miles. That means Corvette Racing has raced to the moon and more than halfway back!

Corvette Racing at Virginia International Raceway (wins in bold)

2012

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 8th in GT (Garcia fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 1st in GT (Clinched ALMS GT title)

2013

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 3rd in GT (Clinch GT team, manufacturer titles)

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 6th in GT

2014

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 7th in GTLM (Taylor replaced Magnussen – injury)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 9th in GTLM

2015

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 6th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 8th in GTLM

2016

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 1st in GTLM (Magnussen pole)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 9th in GTLM (Gavin fastest race lap)

2017

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 1st in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 6th in GTLM

2018

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 2nd in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 6th in GTLM

2019

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 3rd in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 4th in GTLM

2020

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 1st in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 4th in GTLM

2021

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 2nd in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy – 1st in GTLM

Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 80 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

How PEMF Devices could help racers relax?

By
SM
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Photo by Jenny Hill on Unsplash

Do you want to improve your fitness? Or maybe you want to run the Marathon later this year and are looking for the perfect training plan? PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) therapy can be the best option to reach your goals!

Many racers or runners have used PEMF therapy before and after the competition for general well-being. Regular use of PEMF therapy helps muscles work harder, longer, and recover more quickly, which will help you perform at your best and lower your chance of injury (because there is always a risk of injury when participating in sports or exercise!).

PEMF therapy helps racers to relax

PEMF is an effective treatment that prevents injury, reduces the recovery time, improves performance, and takes part in general well-being. PEMF therapy devices are available at Healthy Line to help the racers to enjoy a healthy race with their competitors.

Avoid injury

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy helps the racers to prevent injury. It encourages healthy cell function and is frequently used to increase bone density. It can also assist in locating muscle imbalances and avoiding overuse problems.

Quick recovery from injuries

It is easier for racers or athletes to recover from a major injury than a tough loss. But don’t worry! PEMF therapy can be beneficial in this case. The FDA has approved the use of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy to treat non-union bone fractures because it promotes the natural healing processes in the body.

PEMF therapy is also used to treat injuries and can help to reduce contusions, edema, and bruises. In this way, you can enjoy a heavy race with good physical health. According to a 2009 study, PEMF therapy may speed up the recovery of bone fractures and surgical wounds. A further groundbreaking study from 2021 backed the usage of PEMF technology in conjunction with preseason exercises.

Reduce pain and swelling

Bumps, bruises, scratches, and knocks are inevitable in contact sports. At some point, every athlete or racer will feel some sort of pain or injury. So, every racer or runner should try PEMF therapy to keep themselves relaxed. It also helps racers to reduce stiffness in joints and improve their mobility, in any sport, at any level. PEMF therapy can help with wounds that restrict the range of motion.

Improve performance and better training

The three main commodities of a racer are strength, speed, and endurance. PEMF therapy helps in more energy production and lessens the cellular breakdown during physical exercise.

The use of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy by athletes improves their training results. PEMF therapy boosts energy production, nutrition absorption, and decreases recovery time while preparing athletes or racers for training sessions.

Better physical and mental health

Everyone is well aware of the physical component of sports, there is also a mental aspect that is equally significant. PEMF therapy can help racers to increase their mental clarity and attention,  release stress and feel their best for competitions.

This heating therapy not only recovers you physically but also makes your mind relax and stress-free in your training or competitions.

Health benefits of PEMF therapy for racers

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy has many benefits for the health of racers or athletes:

  • Enhance cellular regeneration and recovery
  • Build up bone density
  • Improve flexibility, strength, stamina, and range of motion for better performance
  • Increase performance by muscle oxygen uptake
  • Strengthen immunity
  • Increase focus and concentration
  • Recovery from pain, swelling, and inflammation
  • Enhance cellular repair to prevent injury
  • Improve cell metabolism and hydration
  • Lowering discomfort, pain, stiffness, and weakness
  • Increase blood oxygenation to enhance energy output for better performance

PEMF therapy can aid in both your physical recovery as well as your mental training. Therapeutic PEMF devices available at Healthy Line have been demonstrated to improve focus and general well-being.

Author: Amelia Croud
Authors EMail: ameliacroud@gmail.com

Finding the best motor racing betting app in Arizona

By
SM
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Photo by Joe Neric on Unsplash

Sports betting in Arizona is still in its infancy stage, with less than two years since betting was legalized. So far, there has been tremendous growth, characterized by high activity and interest from the bookmakers and players. There are eighteen online sportsbooks in the Grand Canyon State, each offering a set of unique packages and others en route. 

With motor racing being a popular sport internationally, fans are spoiled for choice with the numerous Arizona betting apps in the United States. Read through to find your best choice.

Choice of events

The number of events available is arguably one of the first things to consider when betting on motorsports. There are numerous varieties to choose from in the motorsports calendar, which runs throughout the year. These include the F1 competition, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, MotoGP, and several US challenges. In F1, for instance, there is a race every weekend. However, there won’t be a major difference in the offers of different bookmakers, but the distinguishing factor is in the odds, such as how readily available they are made.

Betting odds

Like in any other betting activity, you will always want to maximize your chances of winning. Finding a motorsports betting platform that has the best odds is no exception. If you intend to bet on F1 races, the complexity of its betting market makes it difficult for bookies to offer significant odds. This should, however, not put you off as there are other exciting races to bet on.

It is crucial to go for the app that provides odds on time, as you will have a chance of bagging the best odds. Consider when you place the bets, despite the odds as that could be the deal breaker. 

Future bets

Futures are a popular affair in sports betting. Depending on the sportsbooks, the odds can be open before a season starts and run throughout the year. This allows you to acquire information on the incoming season, such as the participating teams and their potential, which can be garnered from their track record.

As betting companies lock future bets regardless of whatever happens in the season, these little nuggets of information can set you up for better betting success. For instance, if you speculate that a driver in an F1 team has an injury from the previous season, chances are that you will not bet on him despite an excellent record.

However, you must consider the app with the best future bets favoring the bettor, as the companies often adjust their odds in relation to injuries, results, trades, and the wagered amount. 

The best motor racing betting apps in Arizona

Caesar Arizona

Caesar is one of the biggest sports betting platforms in the state and offers fantastic packages on motor race betting. New customers currently have access to a first free-risk bet worth $1500, and other loyalty rewards.

Unibet Arizona

The Unibet Arizona sportsbook ranks well in offering sizeable motor racing sports. You can do a live bet on F1 and NASCAR races. With constant rewards and promotions, the app has a user-friendly interface, thus making your navigation smooth.

Fubo AZ App

Fubo is one of the most intriguing motor racing sportsbooks in Arizona currently. It offers wide motorsports coverage from NASCAR, dirt tracks, speedways, and road courses. Thanks to the amazing app, you can have an incredible experience betting while live streaming the races.

Hollywood Director Brad Peyton and The Gentleman Driver’s Toni Calderon Bringing Docuseries to IMSA Paddock

By
Official Release
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The Untitled Project Will Focus on Pro-Am Drivers and Their Individual Stories

In and Out of the Race Car

LOS ANGELES (August 22, 2022) – A new docuseries from executive producers Brad Peyton and Toni Calderon focusing on the high-energy, high-intensity world of pro-am sportscar drivers in the IMSA paddock is planning to begin production in December for the 2023 season.

The as-yet untitled project will focus on the world of IMSA pro-am racing, following the lives of everyday men and women who compete with and against the best professional sports car racers in the world, including Filipe Albuquerque and Hardpoint’s Katherine Legge.

The project will have unprecedented, behind-the-scenes access to the pro-am drivers, and to how racing against professionals can risk their relationships, their businesses, and more importantly their lives for the sport they love.

The series is headed by Peyton, whose Hollywood credits include directing 2015’s San Andreas and 2018’s Rampage, both starring Dwayne Johnson, and Calderon, who was also executive producer for The Gentleman Driver in 2019.

While Calderon has a long history in the sports car racing world, Peyton was first exposed to IMSA at the 2021 Long Beach Grand Prix.

“I’m fascinated by the raw nature of pro-am racing and more importantly the stories and stakes of the men and women drivers who compete in it,” Peyton said. “This league and these drivers have captivating stories that mainstream America hasn’t seen yet. I’m excited to dive into the unscripted world with this project and can’t wait to be at Daytona when we kick-off the production!”

Set to begin production at the end of 2022, the focus of the season will be on the 2023 race calendar. In addition to executive producers Peyton and Calderon, the producing team also includes former Netflix executive Justin Price, who was involved in the creation of the successful Formula One docuseries Drive To Survive; Hardpoint President and CEO Rob Ferriol, who is also a pro-am driver in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship; Mike Zhu, the former Head of Strategy and Planning for wiip, the production studio behind HBO’s Mare of Easttown and Apple’s Dickinson; Beaux Jackson, producer of The Gentleman Driver; and Mark Sunderland, an Atlanta-Based film producer and entrepreneur who specializes in development and early stage companies.

“This series aims to shine a light on the unsung heroes of motorsports – the amateur drivers – and bring fans a rare look at their lives,” Calderon said. “We want to share the incredible stories of drivers who risk their lives and put themselves in impossible situations because of their passion for and love of the sport. These are men and women from all walks of life going out there and risking it all to prove that they are as good as the pros and to earn a coveted seat at Le Mans.”

The ultimate goal of the docuseries is to showcase the traditional life-blood of professional sports car racing, the unsung drivers who invest their time and resources into each season.

“It’s very exciting to finally be able to announce this project, which has been years in the making,” Calderon said. “Brad is a world-renowned filmmaker and storyteller, and partnering with him has brought this project to a whole new level. We’ve also put together an impressive team of producers and I have no doubt that we’ll be able to create an incredible show that everyday people can relate to, and hopefully be inspired by it. The popularity of motorsports has risen quickly in the last few years. But the unsung heroes of the sport, the pro-am drivers, have largely been ignored, and we are ready to change that.”

Peyton is represented by CAA and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.

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